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FROM THE BRITISH
Brighton-Shoreham Aerodrome.
MR. M. CHANTER continued the tests of his new monoplane,
and put one of the Bleriots through its paces on Wednesday last
week. At day-break the following morning, De Villiers was in the
air with some good straight flights, and on Tuesday Mr. Chanter
was testing a 40-h.p. Anzani-Bleriot which has been undergoing a
complete overhaul; while Gassier and De Villiers were putting in
more useful practice.
On Monday we were hoping to see Mr. F. B. Fowler of East
bourne, as it was arranged that he should alight here on his way
from Beaulieu, but fate was against him, and he "landed" in
the Solent. Next week we may be able to report his safe arrival
here as we feel sure that his zeal is not damped, notwithstanding the
ducking he experienced on Monday.
Brooklands Aerodrome.
ON Wednesday last week the wind was gusty and treacherous,
and Fleming, after making a trial on the Bristol, decided that it was
too bad for pupils. However, he took up Lieut. Smith in the
passenger's seat for a while. Later, Pizey, who has returned from
Salisbury Plain, took this pupil up again, Merrian also being up as
passenger with Fleming. At the Deperdussin school, Sabelli put in
two circuits on the brevet machine, and later Gill flew his first
circuit in irreproachable style, his landing being exceptionally good.
Cadet Wheeler then took the air for 20 minutes on the Bristol, at
well over 2,500 ft., finishing with a good vol plane' and landing.
After this there was no flying owing to the bad weather until
Monday last, when it was calm and frosty. Quite an eventful day
ensued as three pilots obtained their brevets. Sippe on the Avro
got through in excellent style, passing the second half in under
5 mins. Game is another to the long list of the Bristol school's
successes, and Graham Wood scores for the Hewlett Blondeau
school.
Percival was out on his biplane, ostensibly for the purpose of
testing the strength of his wing construction, as on one occasion he
brought the machine down on one wing tip. Great was the surprise
of spectators on finding that only the end rib was damaged. This
machine should fly very well indeed when fitted with a propeller
which will allow the engine to turn at its normal number of
revolutions, and when the warp has been made somewhat more
effective than at present.
Pizey was up with Lieut. Smith aj passenger, getting him accus-
Sydney V. Sippe, who has just secured his certificate ion an
Avro biplane.
JANUARY 13, 1912.
FLYING GROUNDS.
tomed to altitude and S-curve vol plane's. Then he carried Merrian
for landing practice, the latter afterwards making straight lines, and
showing signs of improvement. At the Deperdu:-sin school, Gill
and Sabelli both flew good circuits on the brevet machine, the latter
having an unpleasant experience. When at about 40 ft. the
engine seized, causing the bolts through the propeller-boss to shear.
In consequence the propeller flew off, striking the landing-chassis en
route. Sabelli, however, landed without further damage. Gill then
put in two circuits on the 35-h.p. machine, which, by the way, has
now been fitted with a new Y-type, Anzani. Weighing only
55 kilogs., it gives 35-h.p. at 1,450 revs., and is a great improve
ment on the old type, while pilots are no longer subjected to "the
little oil-bath " as before. It has also stood up to a 9-hours' test on
the bench. Young and Setti practised on the Avro, the latter doing
circuits. Kemp had the Vickers out for two circuits, then Fisher
went for straight flights, as, after his long abstinence from flying,,
he is not quite at home in the machine. Pizey went up again, this
time with Lane and Nesham, for instruction in handling control
lever. Merrian then did four straights, and afterwards four circuits,,
coming down from 70 ft. en vol plant'. Wind and rain then put an
end to the proceedings.
On Tuesday, Gill flew some circuits on the 35-h.p. Deperdussin,
and, continuing his progress, made excellent landings. Hunter was
out on the Humphreys, which has been fitted with new empennage,
and is flying better. Sippe was at work on the Viale-Avro, doing
well, as usual, later Young doing rolling practice. A most
regrettable accident occurred towards the end of the afternoon.
Pullen, who has been working on the Humphreys monoplane for
some time, had been attempting to start up the engine (which is-
fitted with dual ignition) on this machine. After giving the propeller
a swing he stood back for an instant, and apparently thinking that
the pilot had switched on, but that the engine would not fire,
stepped back again just as the pilot switched on. The propeller struck
him on the arm and leg, most unfortunately breaking both limbs.
Some spectators were luckily able to render first aid, and thanks must
be given to the owner of the car in which Pullen was taken
to the hospital, as difficulty was experienced in obtaining
the loan of the car which is usually hired for taking people to the
station. This accident unhappily proves that dual-ignition by no
means does away with the danger attendant to propeller swinging,
and shows the necessity for both pilot and mechanic to methodically
repeat the words " contact " and " off " (or their equivalents) when
necessary. In this case no blame whatever is due to the pilot, who
could not see Pullen step forward to give another swing-over.
Filey School (Blackburn Aeroplane Co.).
SEVERAL pupils were away spending Christmas holidays, and so
on the last day of the old year advantage was taken by Mr. Black
burn to enjoy a few starts. He was out from 3 o'clock till dark,
putting in some good short flights, handling the Isaacson Blackburn
monoplane in grand style. Another Blackburn and two Bleriot
monoplanes have been undergoing thorough overhauling by
mechanics during pupils' absence.
The New Year was begun by Mr. Blackburn and Brereton, the
new pilot, late of the Bristol school, when some good manoeuvres
were executed, some finishes in grand style being witnessed.
The rest of the week was spent in overhauling machines in
hangars, as the pupils had not returned from their holidays.
School will be in full swing next week, when some good flying is
expected.
London Aerodrome, Collindale Avenue, Hendon.
Grahame-"White School. — Although the weather has been
consistently bad during the past week, the school has put in a fair
amount of practice, several of the more enthusiastic pupils being in
evidence each day, with a view to improving their mechanical and
constructional knowledge in the works, among those always on hand
being Raphaite and Biard, who, whenever there was an interval
from the rain and wind, were practising rolling on the School
Farman No. 3.
Tuesday, however, showed a return to something like normal
weather conditions and a pretty busy day was put in at the school.
Clement Gresswell, the chief pilot, was out for a solo flight early
in the afternoon on the school Farman No. 2, prior to taking up
Biard in the passenger's seat for instruction, he being quickly
followed by Fowler who put in some excellent straight flights with
good landings, followed by Raphaite. During the afternoon, the
new Sommer biplane, built by Messrs. Hyerman and Warren, fitted
with 60-h.p. Aster engine, wa' in the hands of the engineers testing,
the engine running well and the machine now looking in fine trim.i 1
This day, also, saw the arrival, from France, of Mr. Robert
Lorraine's new 70-h.p., two-seater, Nieuport, and Mr. T. O. M.
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